San Francisco cop charged with felony grand theft [Bay Area News Group]

SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco Police Department officer is facing felony charges of grand theft, insurance fraud and identity theft, according to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office.

Announced Monday afternoon, the charges relate to a 2018 Ford Mustang that was purchased by Officer Adam Eatia and another SFPD officer in spring 2018. Prosecutors said the officer helped Eatia buy the sports car and insured it in his name through Mercury Insurance, but Eatia was not disclosed as a driver anywhere on the application.

Following an accident in July of the same year, Eatia allegedly committed insurance fraud by failing to disclose he was the primary driver of the Ford and claimed he only occasionally borrowed the Ford, according to prosecutors. Mercury Insurance moved to cancel the policy but still paid out more than $6,000 in claims related to the accident.

Eatia in March 2019 obtained another policy through Allstate Insurance in the name of his friend, the owner of the car, who was not aware of the second policy. Prosecutors said Eatia allegedly impersonated the owner and forged his signature to secure the policy.

After he obtained the second policy, Eatia allowed a friend to borrow the Ford and the friend was involved in an accident that totaled the car. Eatia allegedly told his friend the car was not insured and demanded $49,000 for the damage, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Eatia received the payment, filed a claim with Allstate under the owner’s name and collected another $36,000.

Altogether, Eatia is charged with one count of grand theft by false pretenses, two counts of insurance fraud, one count of forgery and one count of identity theft, according to prosecutors.

“Our office is committed to ensuring that no one is above the law,” District Attorney Chesa Boudin said in a statement. “Officers who break the law, whether in their official or personal capacities, must be held accountable.”

Eatia surrendered Friday and was released after he posted $40,000 bail, according to prosecutors. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 25.

If the allegations are true, Eatia must face legal consequences, the San Francisco Police Officers Association said in a statement.

“San Francisco police officers are held to a high standard for their conduct on and off duty,” the union said. “Eatia’s actions, if true, disgrace our star and he should be held fully accountable by the department. If his actions are determined to be criminal, he should be accorded his due process rights and be prosecuted for his shameful behavior.”

The union said it is not paying for Eatia’s legal defense because the allegations against him involve off-duty conduct that was not within the course and scope of his duties.

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